Weirdest commercial I ever saw

James / February 18th, 2013

Here’s a commercial from the 80’s I don’t think I ever saw before, but now, I’m obsessed with it. Just watch.

I can’t get that jingle out of my head. If I saw this as a kid, I would have definitely been lured into the sparkling gaze of that naked dancing space-floating gremlin, and would have called that number. And from that point on, what would happen? I don’t know. The number’s been disconnected.

Does anyone remember this commercial? Anyone ever called the number, and can tell us what it was all about? It would be really awesome if someone had a recording of it, like the Wally bear line, but I know that’s unlikely. Also, did Freddy Freaker appear anywhere else? Was he a character? A toy? Or just a product of this warped commercial?

The 80’s were awesome! I don’t remember this commercial, however I have always had the trashy tv show from Robocop stuck in my head at the part when the guy on tv says, “I’ll buy that for a dollar”. Yea, I’m weird too.

I am 95% sure that the voice in that jingle is Stan Bush, the 80s vocalist that sang “The Touch” and “Dare” from 1986 The Transformers movie. He’s still around today, and man, what a voice he has. Very cool, haven’t seen this before.

Also, I’m surprised those 900 numbers aimed at kids raising their parents’ phone bills lasted so long. I remember during the 90’s they charged by the minute and the commercials teased with the offer of free toys if you stay on the call long enough to get an address to send a postcard to.

You’re really awesome at finding this kind of stuff, James. From the lyrics, it sounds like it’s a party line, although other people here seem to have a better idea than me. Thanks again, that puppet looks cool.

I was only a little kid when this kind of stuff was goign on, and all I knew about it was that it cost my mom money, which was reason enough for me not to do it. But, what exactly was the point of these 1-900 numbers? Why would anyone call? Was it just like a chat room before hte Internet got popular?

On a similar note, here’s a commercial for a weird “Dial-an-Insult” commercial from the 80s (WARNING: you will go around singing “Dial him up! He’s gonna cut you down! Gonna let you know that you’re nothing but a clown!” to yourself) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7CesLRx9sg

From Youtube:
“I used to call this from number a public swimming﻿ pool when I was a kid (alot of places had not figured out that they needed to block 900 numbers yet!)…It was a party line…You could (sorta) hear everyone else who had just called the number…Just a bunch of kids screaming their city and cussing each other out…The 80’s were awesome”

I’ve had this commercial taped on VHS for years. I’ve thought about posting it to Youtube but never bothered to. It aired in Chicago when I saw it. If I dig up the tape, I’d probably be able to figure out what time of day it aired. I’m guessing late night. I always wondered what you’d hear when you called as well. I was probably only 14 when I saw it, so I wasn’t about to run up my parents phone bill to find out. Whatever it was, it was about as popular back then as it is now. Maybe less.

I remember the commercial. I can recall where I was while watching it and therefore can date this to the early 90’s. Never called the number. These commercials would come on all the time during USA Up all night, Night Flight or Talk Soup.

Ok…maybe its just me, but that thing is kinda scary. It kinda reminds me of the *old* mascots for Quiznos. Its so creepy!!!! Or a lamer version of the Fieries in Labyrinth. Not looking the same, just giving the same vibe. Scary!!!

Apparently someone in the video comments did call:
”
I used to call this from number a public swimming pool when I was a kid (alot of places had not figured out that they needed to block 900 numbers yet!)…It was a party line…You could (sorta) hear everyone else who had just called the number…Just a bunch of kids screaming their city and cussing each other out…The 80’s were awesome﻿
”

It is catchy.
You guys at cinemassacre may be interested in this 80s Australian advertisement. It was a response from the massive fear of AIDS in the world at the time. It’s pretty safe to say it’s controversial.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U219eUIZ7Qo

Reminds me of that jingle on the VHS at the beginning of Little Monsters with Maurice and all those kids in sunglasses. 1..900..89..MAURICE! I think it was to join some fan club or contest. I’ll never forget it though!